Lake Malawi cichlids — species, locations & maps

Genus:	Maylandia
Biotope:	Intermediate habitat with rocky areas and open sandy patches. The habitat is relatively shallow, with rock structures providing shelter and foraging surfaces.
Geographic distribution:	Lake Malawi at Gallireya Reef in Youngs Bay.
Typical adult size:	Males up to 12 cm total length, females up to 9 cm.
Recommended aquarium size:	At least 300 liters, with a minimum aquarium length of 130 cm.
Aquarium setup:	Arrange tall rock structures toward the back of the aquarium and leave an open sandy area in the front. One male should be kept with several females. This species is temperamental and can be aggressive within the species, while remaining relatively tolerant toward other mbuna.
Diet:	Omnivorous. Feeds on a mixture of invertebrates, plankton, and algae.
Aggression:	Aggressive toward conspecifics, especially males, but generally tolerant of other species.
Special notes:	This form is regarded as a short and stocky variant closely related to Maylandia sp. ‘zebra long pelvic’. It is characterized by an orange dorsal fin, which contrasts with the whitish or light-blue dorsal fin seen in most populations of the latter species. The teeth are bicuspid, confirming its placement in Maylandia rather than Cynotilapia. Females are dark brown-blue with a white submarginal band in the dorsal fin and orange tips to the lappets. The species appears to be endemic to Gallireya Reef and is common within the rockier parts of this reef.